This Is a (Quickie) Movie Review: The Visit

The Visit is easily the most beautiful found footage movie ever made. With M. Night Shyamalan, there is no chance it was ever going to be any other way, for while his writing has become increasingly frustrating, his directing skills have remained strong. Specifically, there is his knack for tensely controlled composition and atmosphere, which allows him to pull off surprises exactly when he means to. That’s right, he’s back with one of his patented twist endings, and this is a contender for the best one of his career.

Shyamalan sneakily misdirects in an endearing manner, by taking an empathetic approach to the most frightening and suspicious characters. The grandparents display a lot of concerning behavior, but it is not completely unusual for their age. Paranoia, random physical ailments, incontinence, and disturbing laughter provide for many alarming moments, but they are explained as facts of life that can be dealt with. Further eccentricities like nude sleepwalking and overenthusiastic hide-and-seek play are posited as weirdness that might be embarrassing but should be accepted as perfectly acceptable. Shyamalan gets you on everyone’s side, so that the full reveal is both satisfying and devoid of any cruelty that could have plagued this premise.